Recycling district to open reuse store in Hanover

The Southeastern Indiana Recycling District will convert a Hanover rental space into a reuse store.

The store, at 13 Medical Plaza, will open Nov. 5 and operate Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. It will include household items such as clothing electronics, books, cookware, etc., at no cost to visitors.

The Southeastern Indiana Recycling District covers seven counties - including Jefferson County - and is largest recycling district in the state. Aaron Bell, executive director of SEIRD, said with the opening the Hanover shop, every county in the recycling district will have a reuse store.

Bell described the store as "almost like a Goodwill" in the sense that donors can drop-off items, though donations only are accepted during store hours. In addition to providing another option for those in need, Bell said the store also provides alternative ways for residents to recycle and helps the district reduce landfill input.

Guidelines for shoppers are one visit per week and no items taken from the reuse store are to be resold. Also, shoppers are asked to keep visits to 20 minutes and take no more than four household items at a time.

Belinda Williams, a Jefferson County residents who managed the SEIRD reuse store in Vevay, will manage the Hanover location.

The store will not be able to accept any of the following used items: hats, socks, undergarments, mattresses, sofas, or any other upholstered furniture.

Bell said the project in Jefferson County was slightly delayed because SEIRD had been trying to find a location in the county that would not conflict with Madison's Salvation Army.

He added that the Hanover location, which is near the western end of the town limits, is modeled after Vevay and Rising Sun stores.

"Both of those took off and did very well, and the situation is similar to here, if not better," Bell said.